Distributor mechanism for controlling the release of bombs or the like



8 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 11, 1944. y L, M. SIMPSON ETAL DISTRIBUTORMECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKE Filed Sept.26 1941 July 11, 1944. L. M. SIMPSON ETAL 2,353,417 DISTRIBUTORMECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKE a Pill. 0I'll. N|o m 4 2 M i. 2 LI. -K r I 5 1 n H ru CI l |l rf 5 D 1 c 5 0 U| ZIv lgmJ M r aw,

Julyll, 1944. s| o ETAL- 2,353,417

DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKEFiled Sept. 26, 1941 s sheets sheet s 39 T I I a "9: 1 u L F July 11,1944. SIMPSON ET AL 2,333,417

DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKE'-8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 26, 1941 Y'QIZIMM y 1944- 1.. M. SIMPSONET AL 2,353,417

DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKEFiled Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 11, 1944. I L sl ET AL2,353,417

DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKEFiled Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM FORCONTROLLING THE RELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKE July 11, 1944. 1.. M.SIMPSON ET AL Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 T AL ROLLING THE 8Sheets-Sheet s E K I L 1 ET E4 m NC T1 R ww m P S M M? IS 51 O P fi AF Md .m L i F July ll,v 1944.

DISTRIBUTOR MECH RELEASE o F'IGB.

Patented July 11, 1944 DISTRIBUTOR MECHANISM FOR CONTROL- LING THERELEASE OF BOMBS OR THE LIKE Lancelot Martin Simpson, Thorner, nearLeeds, and Cecil Robert Woodland, Liverpool, England, assignors toAutomatic Telephone & Electric Company Limited, London, England, aBritish company Application September 26, 1941, Serial No. 412,514 InGreat Britain October 13, 1938 14 Claims.

, with the speed of the aircraft and the known spacing depending uponthe type of bomb.

One possible arrangement for permitting variation to achieve this resultwith different speeds of aircraft and different bomb spacings is toallow the distributor mechanism to run at a constant speed and operate amoving brush and to adjust the spacing of the electrical contactsengaged thereby for controlling the releasing operations so that thetime between successive operations may be lengthened or shorteneddepending upon the actual distance between the contacts. The chiefobject of the invention is to provide an alternative arrangement forachieving the same result which involves no movement of the contacts sothat a cheaper and more robust construction can be utilised.

According to the invention, in a distributor mechanism for controllingthe release of bombs or the like from aircraft by electrical signalstransmitted successively over a plurality of fixed contacts by means ofa moving brush, the interval between successive signals is varied byvarying the speed of the moving brush by alteration of the gear ratiobetween the brush driving shaft and a governor shaft which rotates atconstant speed.

The invention will be better understood from the following descriptionof one method of carrying it into effect reference being had to theaccompanying drawings comprising Figs. 1-8. These drawings show variousviews of a preferred embodiment of a distributor mechanism suitable forcontrolling the release of bombs from an aeroplane in a spaced sequence.

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically the mechanical principles incorporated inthe invention, Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the electricalarrangements, Fig. 3 is a View of the front panel of the apparatusshowing the time and distance dials, automatic selecting arm, pilot lampand control push button, Fig. 4 is a front View of the mechanism withthe front panel removed and also the front plate which serves to encloseand protect the mechanism proper, Fig. 5 is a side view of the mechanismlooking from the left of the view shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 is asimilar side View from the right. Fig. 7 is a sectional view looking inthe same direction as Fig. 6 taken on the centre line of the contactbank with the selecting wiper connecting with the ninth contact, andalso shows the location of the mechanism case and cover, while Fig. 8 isa view of the mechanism from the rear.

In order that the operation of the distributor mechanism may be properlyunderstood, a brief description will first be given of the action ofusing the device. The first operation is that the dial 1 is turned bymeans of the handle 8 so that the marking thereon corresponding to theknown speed of the aeroplane registers with the marking corresponding tothe desired spacing as set out on the fixed ring 9. Alternatively, if itis more convenient to calculate in terms of the time interval betweensuccessive releases, the arrow on the dial 1 is set to the correspondingfigure. The operator now presses the push button l3 and rotates the arml8 in a countera clockwise direction against the action of a spring 269to the limit of its travel. The push button is then released and the arml8 remains in the position to which it has been set. When the aeroplanereaches a suitable position and bomb dropping is to commence, a firingbutton is momentarily operated which effects the release of the arm I8which then restores to normal at a pre-determined speed and the brush 2|engages successively with the various contacts at the bank. Circuits arethereby completed in turn over the various contacts and if the selectorswitches included in these circuits have also been operated the releaseof a bomb or group of bombs is initiated in each position. When the arml8 reaches its home position, the equipment is restored to normal and asimilar operation may be effected subsequently if there are any bombsstill unreleased. The effect of the various operations will now beconsidered in greater detail.

When the dial 1 is turned the snail cam 21, Fig. 4, engages the pin onthe carriage 28 so that the latter is moved up or down under springcontrol and carries with it the friction coupling wheel I 0 which, asmay best be seen from Fig. 1, is adapted to transmit a drive from thetoothed wheel II which is rotated by the arm I8 to the wheel l2 whichdrives the governor 34. The gover nor 34 is of the well-known flyballtype and has the effect of ensuring that the wheel l2 rotates atsubstantially constant speed; consequently the wheel I! will be rotatedat a speed which varies The gover- I9 and the speed of travel of thewiper and hence I the time interval between successive bomb releasesThese flyballs are adapted when urged outwards;

by centrifugal force to engage with. the sides .of

a cup 51 whereby a brakin-gjeffect is produced.

which increases with the speed of rotation of the balls. The cup 51 ispreferably conical and is rotatably supported on a screwmounting so asto 'In view of the be capable of axial movement.

tapering internal surface, when the cup is moved by rotating it, thefiyballs engage it at a different radius and hence the speed determinedby the governor is altered. A springtdetent member 58 engaging with theknurled outersurface 59 of the cup serves to prevent undesired movement.

In order to render the movement of the coupling wheel Ill possiblewithout undue difiiculty, the Wheel II isprovided with a radial slot orgroove 29' in which the wheel I rests when the wheel I I is inthe'normal position and along which it moves during the initialpositioningmovement. During the subsequent operation of the device,however, when the wheel II is moved off-normal, the coupling wheel I0rides out of the slot 29 and provides a reliable drive for the .wheelI2.

The push button I3 is nowdepressed and this in turn moves the pivotmember 30 so as to dis engage the-.detent member IBQ-from the so-calleddog .or castle-teeth on the ratchet wheel II. A collar I on the plungerrod of the push button I3 also engages the turned over end 32 of the rod3| which is therefore displaced soas to move the interrupter-springs I!clear of the associated teeth on the wheel I I. When. the operator,still depress ing the push button I3, turns the selecting switch I8 inan anti-clockwise direction until its rear end comes up against the stop33, the wiper 2 I is moved into engagement with. contact I of its bank.During this operation energy is stored in the coil spring I9 andtherotation of thewheel II drives the:wheel I2 by way of the frictioncoupling wheel I0. Since, however, the governort l is driven by aone-way connection incorporated in the hub 20, it is not operated atthis time and the movement of the arm I8 may therefore'be made withoutany restriction. The push button-Bis now released with the result thatcontacts I'I again come under the'control of theteeth on the'upper halfof Wheel l I while the detent' member 9 engages with a suitable oneofthe dog teeth-sothat a return movement of the wheel II is prevented. The-apparatus is-thus left in readiness for use when the suitable positionfor releasa circuit'for energising magnet M: This thereuponattracts itsarmature 23-thetail of which engages with the detent member 9 andwithdraws it from the co-operating. tooth on the-wheel I I. In thiscase, however, there isno movement of the contacts ll which are thusleft in position to perform their appointed function. The movement ofarmature. 23 also has the effect of operating contacts I 6- which, asmay be seen from Fig. 2 completes a locking circuit formagnet I 4 overanother 'winding and also apply positive potential to the wiper 2|so-that the bomb releasing circuits may be complete-lover the variouscontacts of the bank. The movement of arm IBand wiper 2| is effected dueto'the tension stored in spring interrupter contacts I].

is dependent upon the position to which the coupling wheel I9 has beenset, since as previously pointed out the speed of wheel I2 issubstantially constant owing to the effect of governor 34.

The contacts I! which are of robust construc- .tion areconnectedinseries with the wiper 2| and areintended to prevent the heavy currentwhich flows over the wiper from being broken at the wiper tip whichwould result in rapid destruction of both the wiper tip and the bankcontacts. The adjustment of- -the-lever which operates springs IT inconjunction with the shape of the teeth is such that during the movementof the wiper from one contact'to another the circuit is broken at It isthen madev-Jhen the wiper is squarely on the contact and is agai brokenas the wiper is about to leave the contact. Theshape of the teeth,moreover, is such that a qui'ck'break is produced-atfcontacts IIsubstaning of magnet M and thus bring about its release.

Thereupon when the button is released detent=9 is again moved into thepath of thedog teeth and consequently the movement of wheel I I isarrested I and no further bomb dropping operation takes place. Theremaining bombs ma be released by a further momentary operation of thefiringbutton which produces reenergisation of magnet It with the sameresults as previously described.

If, however, the bomb releasing operation continues unchecked untilwiper 2| reaches its home position, a circuit will then be automaticallycompleted for short-circuiting magnet I 4 which is thus released. Itshould be mentioned thatit isnot necessary for the arm IBto be movedoverthe whole of the bank but that if necessary it can be set on anyparticular contact and retainedthere after the'release of the pushbutton I3. Restoration to normal with consequent bomb droppingoperations'will then be effected in response torthe momentary operationof the firing button.

As'previously'mentioned, the fact that positive potential has beenconnected over wiper 2| to one of the leads AQ does not necessarilymeanithat the bombs controlled by these circuits have been releasedsince the circuit will preferably include additional selecting switches;In these circumstances it is desirable to provide somesupervisoryarrangement to indicate which bombs have been released and which arestill retained. It will be understood that in accordance with standardpractice each bomb release unit: on operating to effect release of theassociated bomb will 7 open a point in the release control circuit.Hence while the bomb is ready to b released negative potential will befed back over one of the'control leads A to Q, assuming-the appropriate.selecting switch is closed, but this potential is'removed after the bombhas beenreleased. The lamp 25 enables the operator to ascertain readilyby manual operation of'the selecting arm lil'how many bombs are incondition to be dropped. When the arm l-8 encounters a contactcorresponding to a bomb in place and with the associated selectingswitch closed a circuit is completed for the lamp 25 from positive,resistance 26, lamp 25, contacts ll, selecting arm 18 and thence overthe contact to negative in the bomb release circuit. It will beunderstood that th resistance of this circuit is too high to cause thebomb release mechanism to function but is sufficient to produce a glowon the indicating lamp to show that the corresponding bomb is inreadiness to be released. The purpose of using a low voltage lamp inseries with a resistance is to provide a factor of safety in case forany reason the lamp should become short-circuited in whichca'se the bombrelease mechanism would receive full current and'the bomb mighttherefore be released inadvertently. The lamp 25 is mounted under thelamp cover assembly 38 which is provided with a movable shutter 42having two windows, one clear and one coloured. During daylightconditions the shutter is in the position to render the clear windoweffective so as to give a maximum light, while under night conditionsthe shutter is used in the position in which the coloured window ieffective so as to avoid any possibility of dazzling the operator.

In order that the unit described may be quickly replaced by another unitin case of a fault, all electrical connections thereto are extended byway of a spring connecting jack 35 which when the unit is inserted inthe case member 36 engages with a multiple contact plug member 3'! towhich is wired the connecting cable extending to the firing button,operating battery, and bomb release devices. The front panel alsocarries a handle 39 which serves to assist in the manipulation of theunit. The screw 40 engages with a suitable cooperating member when theunit is in position and serves to prevent it being inadvertently moved.In order to maintain adequate pressure between the wheel l2, thecoupling wheel 19 and the toothed wheel II, the shaft on which thelatter is carried is engaged at one end by the fiat spring 4| shown inFigs. 7 and 8. It will be seen from Fig. 7 that the main rotating partsof the mechanism are provided with ball bearings thereby securingsmoothness and reliability of operation.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mechanism for controlling the electrical release of bombs or thelike from aircraft comprising a frame, a first shaft journalled in saidframe, a spring fixed at one end to said frame and at the other to saidshaft, a manually operable member secured to said shaft whereby saidspring may be tensioned by operation of said member, a toothed wheelattached to said shaft, a movable dog normally in engagement with theteeth of said wheel, a manually operable push button arranged whenoperated to move said dog out of engagement with said toothed wheel, asecond shaft also journalled in said frame, variable speed gearingconnecting the two shafts and governor means for maintaining the speedof said second shaft substantially constant when it is rotated by thetension of said spring by way of said variable speed gearing.

2. A mechanism for controlling the electrical release of bombs and thelike from aircraft comprising in combination a first shaft, a source ofpower for rotating said first shaft, a brush secured to said firstshaft, means to control the release of bombs including the aforesaidbrush and a set of contacts cooperating with said brush, a sec- 0ndshaft, variable speed gearing connecting said first shaft and saidsecond shaft and governor means for maintaining the speed of said secondshaft substantially constant when it is rotated by said source of powerby way of said variable speed gearing thereby permitting variation ofthe time interval between the engagement of successive contacts of theset by said brush.

3. A mechanism for controlling the electrical release of bombs or thelike from aircraft comprising in combination a first shaft, a source ofpower for rotating said first shaft, a brush secured to said firstshaft, means to control the release of bombs including the aforesaidbrush and a set of contacts cooperating with said brush, a second shaft,a first wheel secured to said first shaft, 2. second wheel secured tosaid second shaft, a rotatably-mounted friction wheel capable of axialmovement between said first and second wheels so as to constitute avariable speed coupling between said first and second shafts andgovernor means for maintaining the speed of said second shaftsubstantially constant when it is rotated by said source of power by wayof said friction wheel, thereby permitting variation of the timeinterval between the engagement of successive contacts of the set bysaid brush.

4. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 3 in which the movement ofsaid friction wheel is effected by the setting of a manually operateddial graduated to indicate the time interval between the engagement ofsuccessive contacts of the set by said brush.

5. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 3 in which said first wheelis provided with a radial groove in which said friction wheel is locatedwhen said first wheel is in its starting position to enable the settingof said friction wheel to be effected without difficulty.

6. A mechanism for controlling the electrical release of bombs and thelike from aircraft comprising in combination a first shaft, a source ofpower for rotating said first shaft, a brush secured to said firstshaft, means to control the release of bombs including the aforesaidbrush and a set of contacts cooperating with said brush, a second shaft,variable speed gearing connecting said first shaft and said secondshaft, governor means for maintaining the speed of said second shaftsubstantially constant when it is rotated by said source of power by wayof said variable speed gearing, a wheel also secured to said firstshaft, a set of teeth on said wheel, a pair of interrupter contactsincluded in circuit with said brush, and means controlled by said teethfor opening the said interrupter contacts during the movement of saidbrush from one contact to the next.

7. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 6, including a second set ofteeth on said wheel, a dog normally in engagement with said second setof teeth and a manually operable push button arranged when operated tomove said dog out of engagement with said teeth and to disable saidmeans for operating said interrupter contacts whereby on the operationof said push button said brush may be moved in either direction withoutoperating said interrupter contacts.

8. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 6 in which the first set ofteeth on said wheel are so shaped as to give a quick break of saidinterrupter contacts independent of the speed of rotation of the wheel.

9. A mechanism for controlling the electrical release of bombs and thelike from aircraft comprising a frame, a first shaft journalled in saidam rine fi dat on mimosa- 1 frame member, a brush also secured to saidshaft,:means to control thereleas of bombsincluding the aforesaidbrushand a set of contacts cooperat ing with said brush, a toothed wheelalso;secured to said shaft, amovable dog normally in engagement with theteeth of said wheel, a manually operable push button arranged whenoperatedto,

cuit for said electromagnet, and ineans whereby the operation of saidarmature serves to connect potential to said brush A move said dog outof engagement With said toothed Wheel, a second shaft alsq journal ledsaid frame, variable speed gearing connecting said first shaft and saidsecond shaft andgoyernor' means for maintaining the speed of said secondV shaft substantially constant when it "is rotated by the tension ofsaid spring by wayof said variable speed gearing. i

10, A mechanism for controlling the electrical release of bombs and thelike from aircraft comprising a frame, a. first shaft J'ournalled insaid frame, a spring fixed at one end to said frame and at the othertosa-id shaft, a manually operable member secured to saidshaft wherebysaid spring may be tensioned by operation of said member, a brush alsosecured to said shaft, means to control the release of bombs includingthe aforesaid brush and a set; of contactscooperat ing with said brush,a toothed wheel also secured to said shaft, a movable dog normallyinengagement with the teeth of saidwheel, a manually operable push buttonarranged when operated to move said dog out of engagement with saidtoothed wheel, a second shaft also journalled in said frame, variablespeed gearing connectingsaid first shaft and said second shaft, governormeans for maintaining the speed of said second shaft substantiallyconstant when it isrotated'b the tension of said spring by way of saidvariable speed gearing, an electromagnet, means for operating saidelectromagnet,,-an armature for said electromagnet arranged to removesaid dog from said toothed wheel and to complete a'lock-ing cir- ,11. Acontrol mechamsmgas claimed in, claim 10 in which when said brushreaches its initial position a circuit is completed thereover forshortcircuiting said electromagnetwhereupon it re:

leases and again permits: said dog to engage said toothed wheel. i 1-2.A control mechanism as clai edin claim lo including contacts operated'bysaid push button arranged to short-circuit said magnet whereupon said;dog re-engages saidi toothed wheel'and the movement of said-brush isterminated.

A mecham'sm' or; controlling the electricalf release of bombs andthe'lik'e'from aircraft com-- prising in combination a frame; a firstshaft joura cleaned in said frame, a spring fixed atone end of saidframe and at the other end to saidshaft," a manually operablev membersecured to said shaft whereby said spring'm'ay be tensioned by operationof'said member, a toothed wh'eel attached 'to said shaft, a movable dognormally' in, engage ment'witli the teeth Of'iSEtid Wheel, a manuallyoperable push button arranged when operated to move said dog outofengagement with said toothed wheel, a brush s'ecured't'ofs'aidfirst'shaft, means to control the release of bombs including theaforesaid brushand a set of contacts cooperat-' ing with said'brush, anda lamp having one ter- 'minal connected to 'said'ibru'sh and the otherto potential of one polarity whereby when said push button is operatedto enable said brush to be moved over said contacts manually or underthe tension of said spring, said lamp is lighted When said brush engagesa'con't'actto which potential of opposite polarity is connected.

14. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 13 inwhich the circuit ofsaid lamp includes'a re sistance'to prevent full potential of said onepolarity being applied toany of said contacts if said lamp should becomeshort-circuited;

' LANCELOT"MAR ,TIN SIMPSON.

CECIL ROBERT WOODLAND',

